Green Avalon Gardens
Ideas, Info, Tools & Technology to Create Your Dream Garden
Elegant Pools And Ponds
Dec 24th
This beautiful iridescent tile would certainly create a fairyland effect at night.
Now that the gardening season has come to a close for most of the United States, we can all start making plans for improvements for the coming season. Many of us may be considering a water feature for our yard. Pools and ponds are outdoor features that add a lot of value to your property, not to mention the enjoyment they bring.
There are a lot of different styles to choose from as well. You can go totally natural, to highly sophisticated, to renaissance elegance, creating just the mood you More >
Invasive Plants Weren’t Always Considered Invasive
Dec 22nd
I was reading and interesting article about a book on invasive plants. “Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species” by Sylvan Ramsey Kaufman and Wallace Kaufman not only has a listing of invasive plants found in the US, but the history of why they came to the country.
Here in the mid-Atlantic there are several plants that are considered invasive that were mentioned in the article. One of my favorites is the mimosa tree. Although listed as an invasive plant I’ve never found more than a few of them dotting the landscape here More >
Long-term Planning For Gardens
Dec 19th
Shade patterns change throughout the year. Keep a log for successful planting.
Maybe you’ve got it on you resolution list to finally do something with the yard. You’ve got some ideas, but aren’t sure exactly which plants will work well for each garden.
The first thing you need to do is know the lay of your land. Which way is north, south, east, and west? How does the house line up with these directions? Where are large trees or shrubs located in relation to the directions? Are the trees/shrubs evergreen or deciduous?
Before you plant anything you need to know what the shade More >
Time To Think Seeds – No GMO
Dec 12th
Yep, it’s that time of year. Time to start drooling over this years seed catalogs. I’ve already received several and have to reign myself in, as I’ve got quite a few packets of seeds left from last year.
One thing you should consider when looking at seeds is their safety and purity. There are studies starting to come in showing that GMO seeds are affecting, not only the natural world around us, but our very bodies. The GMO tags are being found in pregnant women and their newborn babies, some illnesses are being exacerbated by GMO products, etc. This is just More >
Family Visit
Dec 8th
Guest post from: Natalie Walter
Tomorrow is a big day! My brother and his family will be arriving at the airport for Christmas and I am planning to be there to meet them. I have not seen them since last Christmas because they are currently living on the other side of the country. They will be staying at my house for the first few days that they are here so I have been cleaning and cooking for days. I think I have most of what I need to do completed for their arrival—beds in the guest rooms are made with clean More >
After A Hard Day’s Work
Dec 5th
Is your mattress ready for the junk heap?
I love my bed. As a matter-of-fact if I could take just one thing with me when I move, it would be my bed, really! I bought it 23 years ago and it’s still as comfortable as the day I bought it.
After working out in the yard, I often come in feeling a bit sore and stiff. One night’s sleep on my “magic” bed and I’m fit as a fiddle. When traveling abroad I dream about my bed at home. When I return my whole body anticipates the luxury of my mattress.
So, if More >
Christmas Plants Around Pets & Small Children
Dec 1st
During the holidays we enjoy having all kinds of beautiful wreaths, flower arrangements, swags, and other living decorations. However, if you have pets or small children joining you for the holidays, you need to be aware of plants that can pose a hazard to them. Most plants are not out and out killers, but they can cause a lot of discomfort and possible trips to the hospital.
First off, know your animal. Some animals are totally uninterested in new plants, others have to chew everything. If you plan a new baby pet to be given to someone in the family this More >
Bringing The Outdoors In
Nov 28th
Now that the winter months are approaching fast, dreary days are more common. The flowers are gone from the garden and the leaves have dropped from the trees. Most plants have gone to sleep for the season. In these greyer days there are many ways you can bring a spot of garden cheer to your house.
Bring nature inside with a traditional or contemporary wool rug.
Of course potted flower plants and cut flowers are one way, but they are very temporary. One permanent way you can bring nature inside is through your décor. Bringing nature to your décor is very simple More >
Caring For A Cut Christmas Tree
Nov 24th
There's nothing like the smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree.
I haven’t been able to give up my cut tree, yet. Even though I know that growing Christmas trees is a highly toxic industry, I still want that fresh cut smell in the house, and I’ve not found an artificial tree that looks anything like a real one. So, until I’m able to give up this vice, I try to make sure the tree stays as green and safe as possible.
I went straight to the expert’s site, the National Christmas Tree Association to check and see if there was anything I More >
Focus Plant: Amaryllis
Nov 21st
My beautiful amaryllis, posing for a portrait.
This is the time of year when you see all the special packages of Christmas bulbs to force into bloom. The all-time favorite is the amaryllis. When I grew my first amaryllis the only color you could get was bright red. Now you can get red, white, pink, and bi-color. There are even specialty colors available from online sources.
Watching an amaryllis grow is something everyone loves. You open the box, start watering, and within a few days a tiny sprout shows up. However, the next morning when you get up that tiny sprout is More >